CPC Founding Day – July 1, 2026

History of CPC Founding Day

China is one of the world’s four ancient civilizations. The written history of this nation goes as far back as 3,000 years ago to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 to 1046 B.C.). But before that, the Xia Dynasty existed as the first dynasty of ancient China although no official written records of this dynasty survived.

During the Zhou dynasty era, the Confucianism philosophy emerged that focused on the importance of personal ethics and morality. It has morphed into one of the most influential belief systems in the history of China and is the foundation for much of Chinese culture.

After the victory of the 1917 October Socialist Revolution in the Soviet Union led by Lenin, Marxism found its way into China. Chinese intellectuals acknowledged Marxism as the true means of gaining victory in their revolution.

The May 4 Movement against imperialism and feudalism broke out in China in 1919. This movement stirred the Chinese people in an unprecedented way, and the working class emerged as an independent political force. A large number of revolutionary pro-Marxist intellectuals such as Li Dazhao, Chen Duxiu, and Mao Zedong formed communist groups across the country.

They aimed to promote Marxism and organize workers’ movements. This saw the integration of Marxism with the Chinese workers’ movements and eventually led to the establishment of the C.P.C.

In July 1921, communist organizations from different territories in China sent emissaries to Shanghai for the First Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. This meeting officially marked the establishment of the C.P.C.

Mao Zedong, the party leader, suggested July 1 as the anniversary of the birth of the C.P.C. As such, the holiday is typically referred to as the “Party’s Birthday.”

Under Mao, the Chinese Communist Party completed its land reform program, established a series of five-year plans, and eventually broke away from the Soviet Union.